The Reserve Bank's decision to increase the cash rate by 0.25 percentage points will leave many householders with less available cash once the banks pass on increases to their standard variable mortgage rates.

It is not clear how much that - and the sentiment about rates and expected further increases - will affect retail spending.

Rising cost inflation is pushing in the other direction, with a range of necessary goods now costing more.

Retail expert Louise Grimmer said any extra burden on mortgage holders, such as a rate rise, would inevitably affect retail spending.

"We are already seeing increasing pressure on Australian households grappling with rising fuel costs and price increases across many household and grocery items at the supermarket," Dr Grimmer said.

"Consumers are already feeling the pinch and the commentary indicating that rates are likely to further rise is concerning for the retail sector because the prediction is that households with a $500,000 mortgage could face an additional $600 per month rate rise.

"This will really impact the hip pockets of Australian shoppers, resulting in less money available for spending on discretionary items."

As of March, retail was strong nationally as well as in Tasmania.

At state level, the Australian Bureau of Statistics estimated, turnover increased by $4.8 million to $665.9 million in seasonally adjusted terms.

All three of the highest spending months have been in recent times, with monthly turnover now apparently locked in at more than $600 million after slumping in the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic and then surging.

National turnover increased by 1.6 per cent in March to a record $33.63 billion.

"Rising prices, combined with the continued easing of restrictions across the country has led to rises in turnover in all three months of the March quarter," ABS director of quarterly economy wide statistics Ben James said.

"Consumer spending rose across both discretionary and non-discretionary industries.

"Following flooding in late February and early March along the east coast, impacted businesses regained lost turnover from forced closures as consumers restocked pantries."

Household goods turnover increased by 3.4 per cent in March.

Food retailing turnover increased by 0.5 per cent.

Clothing, footwear and personal accessories turnover grew by 0.5 per cent.

Sales increased in every state except South Australia.

Queensland (3.4 per cent) and New South Wales (1.8 per cent) had the biggest increases.

The ABS said that followed the recovery from flooding and extreme rainfall in late February and early March.